Monty the terrier sniffed out the tumour in my neck

MARTIN KELLY, 71, was diagnosed with throat cancer after his dog Monty, a miniature bull terrier, kept licking his neck. Martin lives with his wife Linda, 71. WHEN I look back now, it’s as if Monty was supposed to come into our lives — if he hadn’t, then I might not be here.

He was a ten-month- old pup when we got him, from a friend i n Spain who was l eaving the country.

Despite having dogs all our lives, Linda and I had decided not to get another one because of our age, but one look at Monty and we offered to have him.

He came to us in March 2013 and settled in almost straight away. Though he was Linda’s dog really, he followed me around all the time.

In the evening, when I was watching TV, he had this habit of hopping up beside me and licking my neck.

He did it virtually from the f i rst day he arrived, always l i cking the same spot on the right side.

I noticed I had a small raised swelling where Monty licked me. I thought maybe he had passed on some germs that had caused it, but I wasn’t worried as I didn’t feel ill and it wasn’t tender. It was only the size of a thumbnail.

In May 2013, however, I had to go to the doctor about some trivial medical matter and while I was there I asked her if she would take a look at my neck. I was surprised when she said that I should go straight to hospital to see an ear, nose and throat specialist.

I saw the words ‘Urgent’ on my notes, and when you see that, you start to think the worst.

They sent me f or a biopsy, t hen I had to go in and see the consultant.

It was throat cancer. When they say the word ‘cancer’, you panic, but it had been caught at the earliest stage.

On hearing the news, my wife and I hugged each other and had a little cry, but then I thought: ‘I have to get through this.’ What was so encouraging was that they said they could cure it.

When I got home, Monty was there to comfort me. He kept me going throughout my treatment — it was as if he knew I needed that bit more support.

In June 2013, I had surgery to remove the tumour, followed by chemotherapy and 45 days of radiotherapy.

It was pretty gruelling, but Monty motivated me to get out of the house, because I still walked him every day.

And if it hadn’t been for him, I ’ d really have had no i dea there was anything wrong until the cancer was at a much more advanced stage.

Thankfully, the doctors say I’m clear of cancer and I have regular scans. It was such a relief to come out the other side.

I thought we had done with adversity, but then, in March this year, Monty disappeared while I was out walking him.

It was devastating. We tried all the lost dog charities and put up posters, but I think we’d given up hope of ever having Monty home again.

Then, last month, we got a call to say the police had received a tip-off and they thought they had found Monty.

We just couldn’t believe it. He came back a bit smelly, but as soon as he heard our voices he perked up.

It was a very emotional day for us all.